Senior Development Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking a Senior Development Engineer to drive the design, development, and qualification of high-performance mechanical structures and mechanisms for the Neutron launch vehicle.

You will work with analysis and manufacturing engineers to produce concepts, detailed designs, drawings, and to develop test plans, execute tests, and document results, ensuring safety and quality across complex space hardware.

Qualifications

• Aerospace, mechanical or mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• 5+ years developing and testing high performance mechanical systems, focusing on structures/mechanisms.
• Experience with instrumentation selection, setup, post-processing, and interpretation of static/dynamic test data.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a team environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to see big picture and make sound decisions.
• Detail-oriented with emphasis on achieving high quality standards.
• Tenacity and can-do attitude with quick, accurate judgement.

Responsibilities

• Produce and iterate conceptual CAD designs for structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.
• Lead testing of structures and mechanisms, including metallic components and integrated assemblies.
• Develop test plans, monitor activities, and post-process data to verify performance requirements.
• Characterise structural materials, interfaces, and subcomponents through tests.
• Create test jigs/fixtures to support fabrication, assembly, and development testing.
• Identify and solve technical challenges to keep projects moving safely and on pace.
• Feed testing outcomes back into design/manufacture for continuous improvement.
• Mentor and assist junior engineers.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering

Mechatronic engineering

Instrumentation experience

Testing under pressure

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Tenacity

Education

Engineering degree (Aerospace/Mechanical/Mechatronic)

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

Teamcenter/Windchill

National Instruments data acquisition

LabVIEW

MATLAB

C++

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

NEUTRON

Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron’s structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron’s launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the Neutron team is your opportunity to help launch a new large rocket for the very first time.

SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

DevelopmentEngineers deliver across a broad set of vehicle domains including structural (i.e.Propellant tanks, interstage, fairings), mechanical (i.e. stage separation, landing, aerodynamic control), fluid_(i.e.pressurant, propellant management, ignition, HVAC), and thermal (i.e. thermal protection)_systems.

This role will work directly with analysis and manufacturing engineers to produce concepts, detailed designs, and drawing packages for metallic components & assemblies and to perform development & qualification tests, refine designs, and ensure Neutron’s materials, components, and assemblies meet their functional and performance requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Produce & rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.

• Lead the testing structures and mechanisms, including metallic components, and integrated structural, mechanical and fluidsassemblies;

• Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and post-process and document test data to verify functional and performancerequirements;

• Develop and execute test activities to characterise structural materials, interfaces, andsubcomponents

• Produce test jigs / fixtures to aid with fabrication, assembly, and development testing of components &assemblies;

• Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed safely and atpace;

• Feed testing outcomes back into the design and manufacture process to promote continuousimprovement;

• Mentor, and technically assist junior engineers.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Aerospace,mechanicalor mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification

• 5+ years developing and testing high performance mechanical systems, with a focus on structures and/ormechanisms

• Experience with instrumentation selection, setup, post-processing, and interpretation of static & dynamic test data(load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges, pressure transducers etc.)

• The ability to work under pressure and to tightdeadlines

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a teamenvironment

• Sound analytical skills and the ability to see the big picture and making connections and appropriatedecisions

• Heavy emphasis on achievement and details – getting things done efficiently, effectively and to the highest quality standards.

• Have tenacity, a can-do attitude, and the ability to think quickly and make accurate judgements.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in one of the following domain areas:

  • Composites structures
  • Large scale structural testing
  • Cryogenic systems
  • Pressurized systems
  • Mechanical moving assemblies

• Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred),Solidworks, CATIA

• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, orsimilar

• Experience using National Instruments data acquisitionsystems

• Programming in C+,matlab,labviewor other

• Experience writing / reviewing safety risk assessments

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.